Healthy Choice Voice: Why Can’t I sleep?

Are you feeling frustrated from endlessly sleepless nights? Does it seem like it’s much easier to sleep during the day than at night (during class particularly)? Truth is, your self-diagnosed insomnia probably isn’t a correct prognosis. Thousands of high school and college students relish in creating late night tweets and Facebook statuses about their biological inability to sleep. The kicker is, they’re doing it while staring into a bright illuminated brain-stimulating screen.

If you’re serious about getting your sleep, then it’s time to make some changes to your bedtime routine.

1. It is best to keep electronics, TVs, and computers out of the bedroom all together. They stimulate brain activity and will keep your head turning way beyond a reasonable bedtime. However, when living at college and having your kitchen, living room, and bedroom all in a 20×20 square, it’s impossible. Therefore, shut down and shut off all electronics at least one hour before you go to sleep. Dimming the lights and reading a book will simmer you down into a peaceful slumber.

2. Finding workout time can be difficult when working around a class and work schedule. However, hitting the gym within two hours of your designated sleep time will only keep you up longer, probably making you second guess a workout the next day. If you’re feeling crunched for “crunches time,” wake up early, and don’t stay up until the early morning for a late night gym session.

3. Stop eating or drinking anything except for water within two hours of bedtime. Your body uses food as fuel to keep your energy up for longer periods of time. Therefore, if you want to sleep, don’t gas up!

When all else fails, indulge in a warm glass of milk. No one is quite sure why warm milk lulls you to sleep, but according to grandmas around the world, it works!